Sertraline given to DD17 at first GP appt

[Buzzyfeeder]

I am shocked she would get a prescription on first GP appt for low mood. I don’t know what she said of course as I wasn’t party to the consultation. I would have expected talking therapies as a starting place not med’s. She is functioning, attending school daily, achieving good grades, drives own car, has friends and working.

I didn’t think NICE guidelines allowed this without CAMHS input and a psych’ assessment but maybe I’ve got it wrong. I don’t really know how best to support, and I’m disappointed she had what feels like easy access to med’s first as a solution at 17. Any experience or thoughts, it’s a tough place here as a mum I’m worried for her on the med’s and how she will cope with life’s struggles if she is already on med’s.

People in my family react badly to fluoxetine. My mum's GP put her on it without telling me. Mum was in her 80s.

Got into my parents' house and Mum was utterly loopy. Not exaggerating...She'd been wrapping kitchen roll round the legs of the kitchen table. Phoned the GP and he cancelled the prescription straight away.

I later found out that Mum's elder sister had had a similar reaction.

Why were they put on it? They were both in pain from osteoporosis.

I work in NHS mental health and I agree with your concerns OP.

Shes too old for a CAMHS referral and likely wouldn’t meet threshold anyway but she can self-refer to NHS talking therapies. There is one in every locality.

I think it’s awful that she wasn’t informed of this.

No one is saying meds can’t be beneficial but for mild-moderate presentations a psychological intervention should be considered first.